Church Group Says Israel is Largely Responsible for Mideast Turmoil

August 15, 1983

VANCOUVER (Aug. 14)

The Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches ended last Thursday after adopting, among a number of resolutions on political issues, one which continued the umbrella organization’s hostility toward Israel.

The resolution, which placed major blame on Israel for the recurrent turmoil in the Middle East, asserted that Christian guilt and remorse over the Nazi Holocaust have “often led to uncritical support of the State of Israel.”

The conference of the World Council, often under sharp criticism from other churches for allegedly neglecting theology to concentrate on political issues, was attended by 900 delegates representing 300 churches.

The Mideast resolution urged “greater awareness among member churches about the urgency and justice of the Palestinian cause.” Philip Potter, the World Council’s general secretary, told reporters that Jews “have been able to look after themselves–we have to look after those who have no one to help them.”